Concept explainers
Watch this video (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/capillaryfunct) to explore capillaries and how they function in the body. Capillaries are never more than 100 micrometers away. What is the main component of interstitial fluid?
To review:
The main component of interstitial fluid.
Introduction:
Interstitial fluid also called the extracellular fluid surrounds all body tissues. It mainly contains water as solvent with suspended particles, solutes and white blood cells in it.
Explanation of Solution
All tissues of our body seem to be bathing in a liquid called the extracellular fluid or the interstitial fluid. This fluid is more like the lymph flowing through the lacteals. The interstitial fluid has water as solvent which is the makes up the most of its content.
This aqueous solution contains sugars, amino acids, electrolytes along with dissolved oxygen and other gases. There are white blood cells freely floating in it. It differs from plasma in the protein composition as the plasma is rich in protein.
The exact composition if interstitial fluid however depends on the location of the body considered. This fluid contains substances like hormones, neurotransmitters or proteins according to the area where they are produced and transported.
Even metabolic wastes products like carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, urea or ammonia are found in it. Just that its dynamic composition is dependent on the tissue it is found associated with. This is so because the interstitial fluid functions to allow exchange of nutrients and wastes between blood in capillaries and tissues.
The interstitial fluid is mainly composed of aqueous solvent with dissolved electrolytes, gases and suspended white blood cells. It functions to provide medium of exchange of substances between blood and the tissue it surrounds.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 20 Solutions
Anatomy & Physiology
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Biology: Life on Earth (11th Edition)
Campbell Biology in Focus (2nd Edition)
Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
Microbiology: An Introduction
Biological Science (6th Edition)
Campbell Essential Biology (7th Edition)
- Selection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forwardCompetition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forwardSpecies Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forward
- magine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forwardWhat is the difference between Uniporters, Symporters and Antiporters? Which of these are examples of active transport?arrow_forwardWhat are coupled transporters?arrow_forward
- How do histamine and prostaglandins help in the mobilization of leukocytes to an injury site? What are chemotactic factors? How do they affect inflammation process?arrow_forwardCompare and contrast neutrophils and macrophages. Describe two ways they are different and two ways they are similar.arrow_forwardDescribe the effects of three cytokines (not involved in the initial inflammation response). What cells release them?arrow_forward
- Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168130Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark WomblePublisher:OpenStax CollegeHuman Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage LearningHuman Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage LearningMedical Terminology for Health Professions, Spira...Health & NutritionISBN:9781305634350Author:Ann Ehrlich, Carol L. Schroeder, Laura Ehrlich, Katrina A. SchroederPublisher:Cengage Learning